Rosenthal Week Begins! Thevenet Blanc is back.
I’ve decided to engage in a series of importer emails, one full week at a time, focusing on the importers we love the best. In no particular order, of course, we are starting with Rosenthal Wine Merchants, who champion small landholders and winegrowers who I think offer some of the most honest winemaking and greatest quality to price ratio of all of our importers. Starting with today’s old friend, Thevenet is that outstanding quality to price offering. Keep an eye out all week for more from RWM.
Year after year, this remains one of the best values in all of Burgundy and the 2024 vintage is no exception. This is the newest release of a wine I’ve championed before, and revisiting it only confirms what I already believed: as an everyday white, it’s nothing short of exceptional. Honestly, it would still feel like a steal at twice the price, as I said last year.
In my constant search for standout White Burgundy at a reasonable price, I spend a lot of time tasting through the Mâconnais. The region can be inconsistent but Domaine Thévenet has been one of the most consistent standard bearers for the region, accomplishing quiet excellence again with their 2024 Mâcon-Villages Blanc.
The Thévenet family’s roots in the Mâconnais run deep, with vineyards across Pierreclos, Serrières, Prissé, Bussières, and Milly-Lamartine. Chardonnay remains the heart of their production, alongside small amounts of Gamay and Pinot Noir. In addition to farming, the family operates a highly regarded nursery, supplying vine material to top growers from Champagne to Burgundy.
Since taking the reins in 2008, brothers Benjamin, Jonathan, and Aurélien have expanded the estate from just 3 hectares to 30, all while maintaining an unwavering commitment to quality—a balance that speaks to both their ambition and the strong foundation laid by their father, Jean-Claude.
Tasting 2024 with our team was one of those rare moments that makes you pause. The room fell quiet, punctuated only by a few raised eyebrows and the occasional “wow.” Fermented entirely in stainless steel, without oak, and aged on its lees, the wine is a pure and precise expression of Chardonnay. Bright green apple, ripe golden apple, and citrus notes lead the way, underscored by a distinct saline minerality and delicate hints of white flowers. There’s a subtle breadth through the mid-palate that adds depth without sacrificing freshness, making each sip more compelling than the last.
This is a wine that captures the energy and promise of the Mâconnais today. It may not be the Côte d’Or—but it is unmistakably Burgundy. And in the hands of the Thévenet family, that translates to something truly special.
